Can ANP works as PMHNP?

Oldmahubbard · Mar 3, 2019

Even if you can, you shouldn't. Unless you have extensive background in psych and thoroughly know the diseases and the meds. And even then, no.

Unless you don't mind handing out abilify to everyone who claims to hear voices so they can get disability.

djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 3, 2019

Are we talking hypothetical or are you actually considering such a venture? If your state isn't consensus model focused, then you could do it. But ethically and likely from a malpractice perspective, it would be a poor choice. Your anp does not train you for the depth needed to adequately assess and treat that population.

Dodongo, APRN, NP · Mar 4, 2019

Why in the world would you want to? You weren't trained to practice psychiatry. That should scare you away from it. Stay in your lane. It's bad enough we have FNPs thinking they can do whatever they want. We don't need other specialty tracks doing the same.

djmatte, ADN, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 4, 2019

9 hours ago, Dodongo said:
Why in the world would you want to? You weren't trained to practice psychiatry. That should scare you away from it. Stay in your lane. It's bad enough we have FNPs thinking they can do whatever they want. We don't need other specialty tracks doing the same.

That persistently condescending tone toward FNPs is getting tired. Yes there are a lot of FNPs who work or believe they can work wherever. But that's fostered by decades of them being one of the few np programs available, health systems willing to take anyone with an np in their title wherever, and only real focus on specialty in the past decade. Still there are few doctors who know or even care what the differences are. I don't advocate going outside your training, but these persistently condescending remarks are inappropriate and not helpful when you could have qualified your point without decrying out a whole group of nurses to reinforce your comments.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Mar 4, 2019

Per a former professor who regularly acts as an expert witness in NP malpractice lawsuits, one of the most commonly seen reasons for lawsuits relating psych is FNP/AGNP inappropriately prescribing psych meds. He said that when an NP practices in a specialty without specialty education (note: Psych RN experience does not qualify one to be a psych prescriber), that NP instantly becomes indefensible in court.

Collaboration isn't protective because both the NP and physician can be sued.

Azureshunter · Mar 5, 2019

Thank you so much everyone! These information are so helpful. I am so glad I asked here. Previously I was told by other NPs that it is possible to get trained to be a PMHNP without schooling, now I see the legal aspects of it.

Dodongo, APRN, NP · Mar 5, 2019

15 hours ago, djmatte said:
That persistently condescending tone toward FNPs is getting tired. Yes there are a lot of FNPs who work or believe they can work wherever. But that's fostered by decades of them being one of the few np programs available, health systems willing to take anyone with an np in their title wherever, and only real focus on specialty in the past decade. Still there are few doctors who know or even care what the differences are. I don't advocate going outside your training, but these persistently condescending remarks are inappropriate and not helpful when you could have qualified your point without decrying out a whole group of nurses to reinforce your comments.

But the remarks are mostly true, you admit. It makes us all look bad when NPs decide to practice outside of their training and education. I don't care for excuses.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 5, 2019

This is what the consensus model is all about - practicing in your lane.